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Bentley taps local judge as chief of staff

Circuit Court Judge Charles R. Malone said he was taken by surprise at the appointment.

By Dana T. BeyerleMontgomery Bureau Chief

Published: Friday, December 17, 2010 at 3:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Friday, December 17, 2010 at 12:00 a.m.

MONTGOMERY | Gov.-elect Robert Bentley on Thursday named Circuit Judge Charles R. “Chuck” Malone of Tuscaloosa as his chief of staff.

Malone will begin his new job when Bentley is inaugurated on Jan. 17. He is now the presiding judge of the 6th Judicial Circuit, which comprises Tuscaloosa County.

“I have known Chuck Malone personally for many years and I know he is the right person for this job,” said Bentley, a former state representative who also is from Tuscaloosa. Bentley said Malone’s election as presiding judge by his fellow judges in the 6th Circuit is testament to his administrative skills.

Malone, 56, practiced law in Tuscaloosa for 20 years before his election as circuit judge in 2000. He took office in January 2001 and was re-elected in 2006.

“I have pledged to the people of Alabama that my administration will be open, accountable and efficient, and Chuck, in his role as chief of staff, will help me accomplish those goals,” Bentley said.

Also Thursday, Bentley named Birmingham attorney David Perry as his finance director and said he would retain Insurance Commissioner Jim Ridling, who was appointed by outgoing Gov. Bob Riley.

Malone said he was taken by surprise when Bentley asked him to be his chief of staff.

“I thought he was going to ask me to swear him in, and that was the highest honor I thought of,” said Malone, who added that he felt called to serve under Bentley. Both men are deacons at First Baptist Church of Tuscaloosa.

“This is where God wants me to be, I believe,” Malone said.

Malone has two years left in his term as judge and his resignation will create a vacancy on the circuit bench in Tuscaloosa County. Bentley will fill the position from candidates chosen by a local judicial selection committee.

Perry, a former assistant finance director, is an attorney with Maynard, Cooper and Gale P.C. in Birmingham.

As finance director, Perry will manage financial matters, advise the governor and Legislature and protect the state’s financial interests.

“The finance director is the chief financial officer of the state of Alabama and will play a very important role in my administration,” Bentley said.

Perry worked in the finance department under Riley as assistant finance director. He also has been outside counsel on other state finance matters.

Ridling has been commissioner since 2008 and has 35 years of insurance experience.

“Jim Ridling is a respected insurance professional with many years of valuable experience. It is important that we have an insurance commissioner with an in-depth understanding of the industry and its impact on the daily lives of virtually all Alabamians,” Bentley said.

Bentley previously has announced other members of his administration, including Maj. Gen. Perry Smith as state adjutant general, Dr. R. Bob Mullins Jr. as Medicaid director and John R. Cooper as transportation director. Tom Surtees will continue as director of the Department of Industrial Relations and John D. Harrison to continue as superintendent of banking.

<p>MONTGOMERY | Gov.-elect Robert Bentley on Thursday named Circuit Judge Charles R. “Chuck” Malone of Tuscaloosa as his chief of staff.</p><p>Malone will begin his new job when Bentley is inaugurated on Jan. 17. He is now the presiding judge of the 6th Judicial Circuit, which comprises Tuscaloosa County. </p><p>“I have known Chuck Malone personally for many years and I know he is the right person for this job,” said Bentley, a former state representative who also is from Tuscaloosa. Bentley said Malone's election as presiding judge by his fellow judges in the 6th Circuit is testament to his administrative skills.</p><p>Malone, 56, practiced law in Tuscaloosa for 20 years before his election as circuit judge in 2000. He took office in January 2001 and was re-elected in 2006.</p><p>“I have pledged to the people of Alabama that my administration will be open, accountable and efficient, and Chuck, in his role as chief of staff, will help me accomplish those goals,” Bentley said.</p><p>Also Thursday, Bentley named Birmingham attorney David Perry as his finance director and said he would retain Insurance Commissioner Jim Ridling, who was appointed by outgoing Gov. Bob Riley.</p><p>Malone said he was taken by surprise when Bentley asked him to be his chief of staff.</p><p>“I thought he was going to ask me to swear him in, and that was the highest honor I thought of,” said Malone, who added that he felt called to serve under Bentley. Both men are deacons at First Baptist Church of Tuscaloosa. </p><p>“This is where God wants me to be, I believe,” Malone said.</p><p>Malone has two years left in his term as judge and his resignation will create a vacancy on the circuit bench in Tuscaloosa County. Bentley will fill the position from candidates chosen by a local judicial selection committee.</p><p>Perry, a former assistant finance director, is an attorney with Maynard, Cooper and Gale P.C. in Birmingham.</p><p>As finance director, Perry will manage financial matters, advise the governor and Legislature and protect the state's financial interests.</p><p>“The finance director is the chief financial officer of the state of Alabama and will play a very important role in my administration,” Bentley said.</p><p>Perry worked in the finance department under Riley as assistant finance director. He also has been outside counsel on other state finance matters.</p><p>Ridling has been commissioner since 2008 and has 35 years of insurance experience. </p><p>“Jim Ridling is a respected insurance professional with many years of valuable experience. It is important that we have an insurance commissioner with an in-depth understanding of the industry and its impact on the daily lives of virtually all Alabamians,” Bentley said.</p><p>Bentley previously has announced other members of his administration, including Maj. Gen. Perry Smith as state adjutant general, Dr. R. Bob Mullins Jr. as Medicaid director and John R. Cooper as transportation director. Tom Surtees will continue as director of the Department of Industrial Relations and John D. Harrison to continue as superintendent of banking.</p>